434 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



A series of ;U broad jilates along each side of dorsal fins, extending from the nape 

 to the middle of caudal peduncle. Kach plate is transversely angulated, the outer 

 half directed outward and downward, the inner half nearly horizontally inward, 

 the angle bearing a very strong, compressed, backwardly-hooked spine. The dorsal 

 fins thus occupy the middle of a Hat dorsal strip, bounded by the two series of spines. 

 A number of enlarged spine-like prickles accompany the lateral line, each pore of 

 which lies in the axil of one such. Anteriorly those prickles are arranged somewhat 

 definitely in pairs, two to each jiore, but this arrangement is lost posteriorly. A 

 series of enlarged prickles is placed convexly at base of caudal fin. The upper 

 unmodified rays of the pectoral lin and all rays of dorsal and caudal fins accom- 

 panied by series of prickles ; other (ins and the thickened pectoral rays smooth. Body 

 without filaments. No barbels at chin, nor on mandible elsewhere. A slender ten- 

 tacle, palmated at tip, above posterior portion of orbit, its length slightly less than 

 diameter of pupil. A slender branched tentacle nciar base of middle and lowermost 

 preopercular spines, and a simple one at an equal distance below them. A similar 

 broadly palmated tentacle on cheeks behind end of maxillary, lost on one side in 

 our specimen, but the scar apparent. 



Dorsal fins separate, the membrane from last spine joining base of first soft ray. 

 Spines very slender, the sixth the longest, 2^ in head, very slightly shorter than the 

 soft rays. Base of spinous dorsal 1| in head, of soft dorsal 2| in length of head and 

 body. Front of anal under twelfth dorsal spine, the longest ray one-third head, the 

 length of the base slightly less than half head and body. Caudal rounded, If in 

 head. The lower six pectoral rays sin!2)le, thickened, exserted, the membrane very 

 deeply iucised; the upper three longer than the branched rays above, the longest 

 extending to opposite fifth anal ray. Ventrals broad, the inner rays shorter than the 

 outer, which extend to opposite second anal ray. 



Color in life: Light olivaceous, with four brown crossbands, one under spinous 

 dorsal, three under soft dorsal. A series of nine roundish dusky spots along middle 

 of sides below lateral line. Back and sides with small golden spots and streaks; a 

 distinct series of round blue spots above lateral line, and some scattered blue spots 

 and blotches on back and head, Iris green and dusky. Spinous dorsal light green, 

 crossed bj' narrow yellow lines. Soft dorsal translucent, shaded with reddish and 

 bluish. Ventrals translucent, posteriorly greenish, Avith white pigment. Pectorals 

 translucent, the rays crossed with reddish and greenish bars, which are little con- 

 spicuous. Supraorbital cirrus green ; preopercular cirri white. 



Named for my esteemed colleague, Prof. W. W. Thoburn, from whom I have 

 received important assistance* in the jireparation of this report. 



78. Blepsias cirrhosus (Pallas). 



Not rare at Unalaska, where numerous specimens were taken in the seine. Not 

 seen elsewhere, and not taken with the 1)eam trawl. 



79. Nautichthys oculofasciatus (Girard). 



Numerous immature specimens were taken in Bristol Bay and south of the Alaskan 

 Peninsula, at depths of 5 to 50 fathoms. Stations 3213, 3217, 3220, 3222, 3231, 3232, 

 3233, 3234, 3236, 3246, 3274, 3281, 3290, 3291, 3292, 3293, 3291, 3296, 3300, and 3302. 



Family AGONIDJG. 



80. Aspidophoroides inermis (Giinther). 



Not abundant. A few individuals taken north and south of the Aleutian group 

 and in Bristol liay, at depths of 34 to 59 fathoms. Stations 3213, 3219, 3220, 3265, 

 and 3322. 



81. Aspidophoroides bartoni 8]>. nov. 



Very close to A. mono}>ter>i<jiuH, with which Alaskan specimens have been identified 

 by Dr. T. II. Bean. From this species it difi'ers in the much lower ridges, which 

 are slightly rounded rather than shari)ly carinate, and leave the intervening faces 



